United Way of the Lakeshore’s 100 Year Celebration

Lakeshore Community to Celebrate the United Way and its 100 Years on May 10th at the Frauenthal: RSVP to attend HUGE, Free Event, Public Welcome!

(Muskegon, MI) The community is invited to celebrate the United Way of the Lakeshore’s 100th year of service in the Greater Muskegon Lakeshore communities. Starting as the Muskegon War Chest in 1918, it established the Community Chest to serve the families of our troops and others across our community. The past 100-year history of the local United Way has consistently embodied its current mission—uniting to inspire change and build thriving communities. Bringing together agencies, donors, advocates, and volunteers to identify and address the most pressing area human service needs has been the hallmark of the United Way. Workplace campaigns over the years have raised funds from individuals to be directed to local community human service programs through a rigorous review and investment grant process in order to garner the greatest community impact. After several changes in name and structure, the original War and Community Chest has evolved into a three-county human service agency. Its territory encompasses Muskegon, Oceana and Newaygo counties, more than thirty-six hundred square miles, with a population of nearly a quarter-million. Today, 40 percent of families in the region are in need of help to meet their basic needs. To serve these families, in 2017 United Way of the Lakeshore raised in excess of $2 million in contributions from more than 7,000 caring donors to support programs in education, income stability, and health. The public is invited to recognize and celebrate 100 years of caring, as event participants revel in the agency’s history through a walk across time that shares key stakeholders, agency partners, and community outcomes. Participants will have hors d’oeuvres to nibble on, including delicious favorites from across the decades, and a cash bar. There will be a Silent Auction full of unique gifts and amazing experiences. Attendees will be delighted by live entertainment. This is an event that is truly a once in a century experience!

WHO: Public invitedWHAT: Free event to celebrate 100 years of service by the United Way of the LakeshoreDATE: May 10, 2018TIME: 5—8 p.m.PLACE: Frauenthal Center
425 West Western Ave., Suite 200
Muskegon, MI 49440VISUALS: Time line and artifacts by the decades; participants in period costumes – including a chance to meet historical characters resurrected for this special event; 100-year video montage; and annual report with graphs.RSVP: Visit www.unitedwaylakeshore.org/100years for more information and to RSVP.